10 Reasons Why Your Feet Hurt All the Time and How to Fix It

5. Foot Pain due to Gout Gout sounds familiar to most people, but not many know exactly what it is caused by. Our bodies are designed… Luna - June 7, 2017

5. Foot Pain due to Gout

Gout sounds familiar to most people, but not many know exactly what it is caused by. Our bodies are designed to excrete uric acid in the urine. Uric acid is a waste product of our body. However, those people that suffer from gout do not eliminate uric acid properly. The extra uric acid that stacks up in their body creates crystal deposits in the joints. Mostly feet and hands.

Uric acid is the cause of inflammatory arthritis and is the reason behind excruciating pain. Gout can be visible, where crystals cause a growth which results in a swollen redness in the joint. However, sometimes gout does not produce any visible results. But it is still as painful as its other version.

If you suffer from gout or believe you do, it is necessary to consult a medical professional. This is because apart from the tips below, there is also proper medication for it. Gout can come and go, so you will need to learn to prevent it and act upon it once it comes. Most of the tips below include advice on how to avoid producing more uric acid.

Tips to solve this issue:

As mentioned above, see a medical professional. You will be able to get proper medication to prevent gout and to reduce the foot pain.
Help your body filtering! This means that you should drink plenty of fluids. Go for water and make sure to drink at least half a gallon to a gallon per day.
Make sure to eat plenty of food which are high in dietary fiber.
Avoid any animal protein or legumes which have high levels of purine that turns into uric acid.
Exercise regularly and add some workouts to your routine.
Maintain a healthy weight and limit your alcohol intake.

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6. Foot Pain due to Bunions

Similar to gout, bunions are an extremely common reason of foot pain. Bunions are a deformity that builds up on the inner part of the foot. Mostly close to the big toe joint. Unlike gout, it is not only an inflammation but a deformity as stated above. This means that it will continue developing with time and could lead to extreme changes in gait.

Bunions that are left untreated can affect the way you walk and even your flexibility or bones in the rest of your lower body. Because of its shape and location, bunions can unfortunately also increase the likelihood of calluses and corns. However, there’s a bright side: bunions can be acted upon! Surgery is extremely useful to reduce and remove bunions and reallocate moved bones.

Foot pain due to bunions is mostly related to the pressure put on the foot. As well as incorrect gait, small shoes, and many others. If you suffer from bunions, you are not alone and should not be ashamed. Consult your medical practitioner to find the best solution for your feet. In the meantime, there are some very useful tips to reduce the pain and inflammation.

Tips to solve this issue:

Use a tennis ball to roll it under your feet to stretch and release tension.
Find proper shoes that are apt to your specific needs. An orthopedist or podiatrist will be able to offer you proper consultation.
Avoid small, tight, and narrow shoes or high heels as they add pressure to the bunion.
Take care of your feet daily. You can apply cold compress on the bunion to relieve the pain. However, another very good trick to help your foot relax is to massage it with warm oil.
As mentioned above, consult a specialist to find out if you surgery is an appropriate step for your specific case.

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7. Foot Pain due to Diabetes

Diabetes is sadly a very common illness in this current century. And even though diabetes is usually only spoken of when referring to obesity, there’s much more to it. Foot pain from diabetes comes from nerve damage. This is caused by diabetic neuropathy which directly affects the nerves of your feet.

However, there are also other reasons why foot pain can be a part of diabetes. As mentioned above, diabetes is directly (but not only) related to weight gain and obesity. This factor also affects the blood circulation and pressure. Because of the poor blood circulation, some parts of the body are more affected than others. Specifically, lower legs and feet are part of this.

Diabetic neuropathy can, unfortunately, lead to problems walking apart from foot pain. This is the reason why it is extremely important to prevent diabetes. If you are already a diabetic, make sure to follow your doctor’s directions to feel better and prevent foot pain. However, if you suspect that you may develop diabetes due to weight or genetic factors, these steps are for you.

Tips to solve the issue:

Maintain a healthy weight through a properly balanced diet and regular light exercise.
Avoid sedentary activities. If your work does not require moving, make sure to take breaks to stretch your legs.
Avoid sugary foods or drinks.
Drink plenty of liquids to maintain your body hydrated at all times.
Try to maintain your blood sugar level within the limits and under control.
You may want to consider the use of supportive shoes or alternatively orthotic braces. Make sure to consult your doctor to find the best solution for your own situation.
Stretch and massage your legs daily to help with blood circulation and muscle flexibility. It will help you walk better and prevent foot pain.

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8. Foot Pain due to Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis may sound like the name of a music band, but it’s actually something entirely different. Just between the heel and the toes, there’s a thick ligament (band of tissue) that connects both sides. It can get inflamed for several reasons. It is mainly suffered by athletes, as well as active and middle-aged people. The pain itself is caused by the direct straining of this ligament. Pain starts when the nail swells.

Apart from the people described above, plantar fasciitis can also occur to those who are overweight, wear wrong shoes, or have tight calves. The foot pain suffered with plantar fasciitis is mainly felt in the morning. When the ligament is still cold from the night of sleep, it tends to tighten and hurt. Once the person begins to walk, the pain reduces until it dissipates completely. It can also occur after spending a long time seating.

Plantar Fasciitis pain can be easily confused with other inflammations or nerve issues. This is why it is extremely important to refer to your medical practitioner for a more in-depth consultation. There are several actions that you can take to reduce pain over time. So read ahead and don’t forget to add them to your daily routine.

Tips to solve this issue:

Stretch! Even though it sounds trivial, stretching is extremely important when it comes to stiff and inflamed ligaments or muscles.
Equally important is to take very good care of your feet. By massaging with warm oil, you will be helping your feet to awake and relax.
Make sure to use proper shoes. If you’re unsure on what to do, refer to a podiatrist or orthopedist.
If you feel some swelling, make sure to apply ice through a towel or cloth.
When standing for a long time, take some breaks and sit down to allow your feet to relax.

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9. Foot Pain due to Ingrown Toenails

All of us humans have something in common: nails! However, they might not always be a graceful attribute of our beings. For some people, nails are more of a nightmare. Mostly when dealing with ingrown toenails. This issue usually occurs on the big toe, due to the fact that its nails are thicker and stronger than those of the other toes.

Ingrown toenails occur when the nail curvature leads it to dig into the skin. This causes extreme foot pain, mostly located on the big toe. The problem with ingrown toenails, apart from the obvious pain, is that they can get infected. If this happens, it can get swollen and even drain pus. An ingrown toenail can happen to anybody. However, as mentioned above, thicker and curvier nails will be a most likely subject of this affection.

If you tend to cut your nails too short to the edge or wear extremely narrow shoes, you might be causing this involuntarily. If the nail just started to grow under your skin, you can still revert this. Do so by soaking your nails daily. Additionally, visit your doctor to prevent any infections and get a better look. However, should the nail be too grown already, you may require a small surgery with local anesthetics.

Tips to solve this issue:

Wear correct shoes and avoid narrow, tight ones. Consult a podiatrist or orthopedist to find the most suitable ones for you.
Soak your toe using warm water several times a day to soften the nail.
Use some floss or cotton to lift the nail, make sure to do this gently and not forcing it too much.
Whenever you cut your nails, don’t trim the corners down.
If you believe that there might be an infection, see a doctor immediately.

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10. Foot Pain due to Long Periods of Standing Activity

As you may have noticed already throughout the article, there are two common things that cause foot pain. A sedentary life combined with unbalanced diet is the first. The other is long periods of standing time. Even though many believe that standing is healthy, any extreme is bad for your body. Standing mostly still during long periods can lead to swelling in the lower part of the body. Walking and moving is much better than simply standing.

Standing for hours will definitely cause foot pain, but it’s not the only cause. A variety of leg and foot problems come from this And this includes strain on joints, ligaments, and bones. Additionally, standing also causes varicose veins. However, one of the key actions that will help you prevent all this is actually using proper shoes. Even if you stand for hours, if the shoes are right, the consequences will be minor.

Equally important is to get directions from a podiatrist or orthopedist on how to manage your daily activities to prevent foot pain. If your work forces you to stand for hours, your medical consultant will be able to give you specific suggestions and help you choose the correct shoes.

Tips to solve this issue:

Wear comfortable and appropriate shoes. If this is an issue, consult with a podiatrist or orthopedist to find the best ones for you.
When standing still, make sure to shift your weight among your legs. Balance the pressure by using this simple method.
Put a pillow under your feet when in bed. This will help them relax while you sleep.
Stretch daily and in every break. Not only your legs but also your back and arms.
Make sure to take several breaks to sit down.
Massage your legs and feet with warm oil, as well as apply cold compresses to reduce swelling.

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